Kylian Mbappe 'chose' to be named in France squad as Didier Deschamps defends decision to call up forward despite Real Madrid plea to rest him

Mbappe made the long-awaited move to Real Madrid as a free agent earlier this summer to draw the curtains on a transfer saga that has bubbling since 2020. However, the French international has struggled to find his feet with Los Blancos in La Liga as he is yet to grab his first goal contribution in the league in three straight matches. As such, Real Madrid had pleaded with Les Bleus to excuse Mbappe from their September call-ups citing his hectic summer at the Euros and the upcoming schedule for the 15-time Champions League winner.

Mbappe has now been called up to the French national team squad for their Nations League group stage matches in September on his own request as per Deschamps. The 25-year-old will be looking to sort his feet out in familiar conditions before hopefully bringing renewed energy to Madrid ahead of the hectic schedule for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Speaking to the media, Deschamps said: "I don't know where you got this information from. I spoke with Kylian. What I can say is that there is always this problem of the calendar, a new format of the Champions League, especially after a big competition. There has not really been any preparation. The season is going to be very very long with a time slot at the beginning of June and the Club World Cup. The coaches are going to have to manage the players.

"He has only played three games in a new club with different players. There are automatisms to find. I found him in good shape with juice. After that he has always scored goals, he is there and it is his choice. He has everything to make it go well and even very very well."

The French international will have one more game with Real Madrid to break his league duck before he travels to join the French national side. Los Blancos will host Real Betis on Sunday, September 1 at Santiago Bernabeu.